🔗 Share this article

Prosecutors told the tribunal that law enforcement maintained reasonable suspicions indicating Tommy Robinson's mobile held information relevant to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to depart from the UK.

Refusal to Give Device Password

The far-right activist, using his real name is Tommy Robinson, allegedly refused to hand over his phone pin to police, stating it contained journalist content.” This happened after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on 28 July 2024.

Prosecution Arguments on Anti-Terror Powers

On the final day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution stated that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She claimed that police had reasonable suspicion to believe Robinson still have connections to right-wing groups, even after the disbandment of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the EDL has come to an end, his views have not gone away. He is recognized for holding those opinions and therefore it is a reasonable suspicion to believe that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

The prosecutor added, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Details of the Detention

The campaigner had arrived by himself at the Channel tunnel in a luxury vehicle belonging to a friend and was on his way to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the court was told.

The funds was said to have been from a donation drive to offset expenses from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who disputes failing to comply with counter-terrorism powers during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in prison or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, argued in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who detained his client had engaged in a “fishing expedition” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing testimony from officers who said they called other organizations” after detaining Robinson, Williamson claimed this was a reference to the intelligence agencies and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to suggest his client was a security threat.

He said the police action was “discriminatory” because it was based to a “significant degree on a protected characteristic.” He said that the main factor” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He noted that officers had used an “extraordinary power that needs to be carefully regulated” to try to find out information that was already known. The barrister proposed that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the police suspicions about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

The activist stated that his legal costs in the case were being paid for by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately spoke at a gathering arranged by him in London via a livestream.

A proposed day of the following Tuesday for the decision was changed by the district judge, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not return until 25 October.

{“I wouldn’t trouble you if this was a trip to Benidorm. I would ask him to rearrange it but he is a guest of a foreign government,” stated the barrister.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.